PEW RESEARCH CENTER FOR THE PEOPLE & THE PRESS MAY 2003 NEWS INTEREST INDEX FINAL TOPLINE April 30 - May 4, 2003 N=1201

Transcription

1 PEW RESEARCH CENTER FOR THE PEOPLE & THE PRESS MAY 2003 NEWS INTEREST INDEX FINAL TOPLINE April 30 - May 4, 2003 N=1201 Q.1 Do you approve or disapprove of the way George W. Bush is handling his job as president? [IF DK ENTER AS DK. IF DEPENDS PROBE ONCE WITH: Overall do you approve or disapprove of the way George W. Bush is handling his job as president? IF STILL DEPENDS ENTER AS DK] Approve Disapprove Don t know May, = April 10-16, = April 9, = April 2-7, = March 28-April 1, = March 25-27, = March 20-24, = March 13-16, = February, = January, = December, = Early October, = Mid-September, = Early September, = Late August, = June, = April, = February, = January, = Mid-November, = Early October, = Late September, = Mid-September, = Early September, = August, = June, = April, = February, = 1

2 ASK FORM 1 ONLY [N=602]: Q.2F1 Please tell me what one word best describes your impression of George W. Bush. Tell me just the ONE best word that describes him. [OPEN-END. PROBE ONCE IF RESPONDENT ANSWERS DON T KNOW. ACCEPT UP TO TWO RESPONSES, BUT DO NOT PROBE FOR SECOND RESPONSE] Frequency* May Top Bush Descriptions 2003 Honest 29 Good 21 Arrogant 20 Leader/Leadership 16 Great 13 Confident 12 Courageous 12 Aggressive 11 Christian 11 Determined 11 Integrity 11 Patriot/Patriotic 10 Cowboy 9 Competent 8 Decisive 8 Idiot 8 President 8 Strong 8 Adequate 7 Excellent 7 Fair 7 Dedicated 6 Honorable 5 OK/Okay 5 Powerful 5 * The "Frequency" column is the number of respondents who offered each response; the numbers are not percentages. ASK ALL: Q.3a A year from now, do you expect that economic conditions in the country as a whole will be better than they are at present, or worse, or just about the same as now? Don t Know/ Better Worse Same Refused May, = March 28-April 1, = January, = Early October, = June, = January, = January, 2001* = June, = Early October, 1998 (RVs) = Early September, = May, = February, = September, 1988 (RVs) = May, = January, = January, 1984* (RVs) = * Newsweek 2

3 Q.3b In your opinion, is President Bush doing as much as he can to improve economic conditions or do you think he could be doing more? March Bush, Sr. -- April 1 Jan Early Oct June Jan March Jan Doing as much as he can Could be doing more Can t say Q.4 As best you know, is your STATE government spending more, less, or about as much as it did last year on health, education, and other social programs? 15 More 50 Less 21 About as much as last year 14 Don t know/refused Q.5 Now I will read a list of some stories covered by news organizations this past month. As I read each item, tell me if you happened to follow this news story very closely, fairly closely, not too closely, or not at all closely? [INSERT ITEM; ROTATE OBSERVE FORM SPLITS] Very Fairly Not too Not at all Closely Closely Closely Closely DK/Ref a. News about the current situation in Iraq *= April 11-16, = April 2-7, = March 20-24, = March, = February, = January, = December, = Late October, = Early October, = Early September, = Early January, = b. The lung disease called SARS that has spread from Asia = 1 From March 20 to April 16, 2003 the story was listed as News about the war in Iraq. 2 From October 2002 to March 2003, the story was listed as Debate over the possibility that the U.S. will take military action in Iraq. 3 In Early September 2002 the story was listed as...u.s. will invade Iraq. In Early January 1991 the story was listed as Iraq s occupation of Kuwait and the presence of U.S. forces in the Persian Gulf. 3

4 Very Fairly Not too Not at all Closely Closely Closely Closely DK/Ref ASK FORM 1 ONLY [N=602]: c.f1 The race for the Democratic presidential nomination = January, = March, *= January, = December, *= October, = November, = d.f1 North Korea s nuclear weapons program *= March, = February, = January, = Late October, = June, *= ASK FORM 2 ONLY [N=599]: e.f2 George W. Bush s tax cut and economic stimulus plan = February, = January, = February, = April, *= February, = February, *= September, 1992 (RVs) = f.f2 The murder of Laci Peterson, the pregnant California woman whose husband has been charged in her death = ASK ALL: g. Debate over eliminating affirmative action programs = August, = ASKED MAY 2-4 ONLY [N=601]: h. News about government budget problems in your state = Early October, *= 4 In January 2003 the story was listed as Recent announcements by prominent Democrats about plans to run for president in In January 1992, December 1991, October 1991, and November 1987 the story was listed as News about the Democratic candidates for the Presidential nomination. 5 In Late October 2002 the story was listed as North Korea s admission that it has been secretly developing nuclear weapons. In June 1994 the story was listed as Reports about North Korea s building of nuclear weapons and refusal to allow UN inspections. 6 In February 2002 and April 2001 the story was listed as The debate in Congress over George W. Bush's budget and tax cut plan. In February 2001 the story was listed as George W. Bush's tax-cut plan. In February 1993 the story was listed as Bill Clinton s economic plan. In September 1992 the story was listed as George Bush s plan to improve the economy by cutting government spending and cutting taxes? Results are based on registered voters. 7 In August 1995 the story was listed as Proposals to eliminate affirmative action programs. 4

5 Q.6 Do you think news organizations are giving too much coverage, too little coverage, or the right amount of coverage to [INSERT ITEM, ROTATE. OBSERVE FORM SPLITS] Too much Too little Right amount Don t Know/ coverage coverage coverage Refused a. News about the current situation in Iraq = April 2-7, = ASK FORM 1 ONLY [N=602]: b.f1 The lung disease called SARS that has spread from Asia = April 2-7, = ASK FORM 2 ONLY [N=599]: c.f2 The Laci Peterson murder = ASK ALL: G.2 - G.5 See Global Attitudes Double Back Questionnaire. On a different subject Q.7 When it comes to national policy, who do you think George W. Bush is listening to more... [READ, ROTATE] Jan 2003 Jan 2002 Jan Conservative members of his party OR 32 Moderate members of his party Don t know/refused ASK FORM 1 ONLY [N=602]: Q.8F1 In order to overcome past discrimination, do you favor or oppose affirmative action programs designed to help blacks, women and other minorities get better jobs and education? Aug Favor Oppose 36 8 Don't know/refused 3 ASK FORM 2 ONLY [N=599]: Q.8F2 In order to overcome past discrimination, do you favor or oppose affirmative action programs, which give special preferences to qualified blacks, women and other minorities in hiring and education? Aug Favor Oppose 46 8 Don't know/refused 8 8 In April 2003 the story was listed as News about the war in Iraq. 5

6 ASK ALL: Q.9 George W. Bush has proposed a major tax cut package that is currently being discussed in Congress. How much, if anything, have you heard about the kinds of taxes he has proposed cutting? [READ, IN ORDER] 19 A great deal 34 Some 27 Not much 19 Nothing at all 1 Don t know/refused [DO NOT READ] Q.10 Do you approve or disapprove of George W. Bush s tax proposal? April Feb Approve Disapprove Don t know/refused 6 23 Q.11 Do you think the tax cuts will generally be fair to everyone, OR will the tax cuts mainly benefit some people much more than others? IF 2 BENEFIT SOME MORE THAN OTHERS IN Q.11 ASK: Q.12 Who will mainly benefit from the tax cuts: the wealthy, the middle class, or the poor? Feb Sept Will be fair Benefit some people much more than others Wealthy Middle class Poor Other (VOL.) Don t know/refused Other (VOL) Don t know/refused 8 4 ASK ALL: Q.13 Regardless of whether you favor or oppose the tax cut proposal, do you think the tax cut is likely to [INSERT ITEM; ROTATE] or not? Do you think the tax cut is likely to [NEXT ITEM] or not? Yes No Don t Know a. Significantly reduce the taxes you yourself pay = b. Boost the economy and create jobs = c. Force the government to reduce domestic spending = d. Increase the federal budget deficit = G.6 - G.11 See Global Attitudes Double Back Questionnaire. 9 In April 2001 the question was worded As you may know, George W. Bush has proposed a 1.6 trillion dollar tax cut. Do you approve or disapprove of this proposal? 10 In February 2001 the question was preceded by If George W. Bush s tax bill becomes law... In September 1999 the question was preceded by "As you may know, there has been discussion in Washington recently about a major tax cut that would take place over the next 10 years. If this bill becomes law..." 6

7 G.11a Do you think the war in Iraq has helped the war on terrorism, or has it hurt the war on terrorism? April 8-9 Early Oct Helped Hurt No effect (VOL) Don't know/refused G.12 - G.18 See Global Attitudes Double Back Questionnaire. On a different subject Q.14 How much, if anything, have you heard about a recent Supreme Court case dealing with the University of Michigan s admissions program that takes RACE into account, as well as grades, activities and other factors when deciding who to admit. Have you heard a lot, a little, or nothing at all about this case? 18 A lot 36 A little 46 Nothing at all * Don t know/refused Q.15 All in all, do you think affirmative action programs designed to increase the number of black and minority students on college campuses are fair, or unfair? Form 1* Form 2 47 Fair Unfair Don t know/refused 13 9 * On Form 1 Q.15 preceded Q.16. On Form 2 Q.16 preceded Q.15. Q.16 All in all, do you think these programs are a good thing or a bad thing? [IF RESPONDENT NEEDS QUESTION REPEATED, ASK IN FULL: All in all, do you think affirmative action programs designed to increase the number of black and minority students on college campuses are a good thing or a bad thing?] Form 1 Form 2 60 Good thing Bad thing Don t know/refused In April 2003 the question was worded Do you think the war in Iraq will help the war on terrorism, or will it hurt the war on terrorism? In Early October 2002 the question was worded If the U.S. uses military force in Iraq, do you think this will help the war on terrorism, or will it hurt the war on terrorism? 7

8 ASK ALL: Q.17 In your own personal career and education, have you ever been helped or hurt by an affirmative action program, or has this never affected you? [IF YES, PROBE: Helped or hurt? IF DON T KNOW ENTER AS DK WITHOUT PROBING] 16 Yes 4 Helped 11 Hurt 1 Both (VOL.) 82 No, not personally affected 2 Don t know (VOL.) 0 Refused (VOL.) Q.18 When a member of a minority group achieves success in business or education just your impression do most people think they got ahead because of racial preferences, or do most people think they got ahead because of their skills and abilities? 27 Because of racial preferences 62 Because of their skills and abilities 4 Both / Mixed (VOL.) 7 Don t know/refused (VOL.) And a few last questions about international issues G.19 - G.20 See Global Attitudes Double Back Questionnaire. ASK FORM 1 ONLY [N=602]: G.21F1 As you may know, people in several countries in Asia and Canada have recently died from a new disease known as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or SARS. How worried are you that you or someone in your family will be exposed to SARS -- very worried, somewhat worried, not too worried, or not worried at all? Gallup April Very worried Somewhat worried Not too worried Not worried at all 24 * No opinion (VOL) * ASK FORM 2 ONLY [N=599]: G.22F2 One last question about the new disease known as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or SARS. How worried are you that you or someone in your family will be exposed to SARS -- very worried, somewhat worried, not too worried, or not worried at all? 12 Very worried 23 Somewhat worried 31 Not too worried 32 Not worried at all 2 No opinion (VOL) 8